China says ready for dialogue with Dalai Lama

DPA Tokyo, April 18 (DPA) Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi Friday told Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda Beijing is ready to talk with Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama. During the meeting with the Chinese minister, Japanese leaders, including Fukuda, urged disclosure on the recent incidents in Tibet and talks with the Dalai Lama without any preconditions.

China had earlier dismissed Japan’s concerns by saying it is an “internal matter”, the Kyodo News Agency said.

Yang also met Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura during a four-day trip to set up a visit by Chinese President Hu Jintao from May 6-10.

Earlier in the day, a Buddhist temple in central Japanese city of Nagano decided to withdraw from hosting an Olympic torch relay as a protest against what it’s leaders said was China’s suppression over the Tibetan people. DPA